I Think I'm Prepared...

Soon I'll be leaving for Nome and it's anyone's guess what the temperatures will be, they've been all over the chart since I decided to take this trip and added the city to my weather app.

I really (really!) am not a fan of the cold and so once my ticket was booked I promptly started researching what gear I'd need. Smartwool came up time and time again as a great baselayer, so I shopped around to find the best deals and ordered up some of it! 

Good to -25 degrees, the Joan of Arctic Sorels were next on my shopping list, and found them on sale through Amazon. (I do love my Amazon...)

A stop at the local Big 5 Sporting Goods store landed great deals on gloves and a ski mask. Yes, I'm not going without one of those! And luckily my closet isn't wanting in the warm apparel department...so I just may be set.

I guess I'll soon find out.

Upscaling A Target Side Table

My inspiration for a little DIY project was the below table spied on Pinterest. The minute I saw it I knew a table I found a few years ago at Target could easily be transformed into a look-alike! 

Inspiration Table: $506 from Lulu and Georgia

My Version: $49 from Target

Deciding a gold base and light top would introduce a nice contrast against the dark floor, I got to work.

With some squeezing, I had just enough Rub 'n Buff left in the tube to cover the black metal base with a layer of warm antique gold. Easy peasy! 

Next, moving on to tackle the table top. Removing it from the base...

...for a quick sanding.

Nothing beats Adhesion Primer from Sherwin-Williams, so a layer of that was painted on.

After the primer dried, a quick sanding followed by a coat - and then another - of ProClassics paint in Softer Tan, again by Sherwin-Williams. This go-to paint of mine is an acrylic formula designed for painting furniture with a hard wearing result usually accomplished only by using oil based paint. 

And the result. Could I be any happier?!

Stands up quite nicely next to the inspiration table, I'd say.

That was fun... I must look around the house for more candidates to receive a quick update!

Weekend Plans: Will There Be Time for DIY?

Let me share this little bit of gorgeousness with you as we head into the weekend.

{Painting by Michelle Armas}

And can I admit, I'm truly looking forward to the fact we have no birthdays to celebrate this weekend in our family! From mid January until the end of February we have a birthday to celebrate nearly every week, and of course - being the mom, daughter and wife - you know who does most of the planning!

Instead of shopping, wrapping, baking and party planning I'm actually hoping to have a moment for a DIY project I've been wanting to get around, inspired by this table I spied on Pinterest. Just putting it out there so I hold myself to it...

Hopefully I'll have some good before and after photos to share next week.

Have a splendid weekend!

What Makes Me Happy: Flowers!

Do you love flowers as much as I do? They just bring a space to life! And so it was such a treat to work with the owner of Quince, Jessica Blossom Clark - yes that is her real name - who runs a beautiful floral shop in Vancouver, BC. for a story in the HOF Color Issue.

Don't these photos make you want to run out and get a bunch of flowers for your house today?

(A special thanks to Tracey Ayton Photography for her wonderful work on this story, 

and to read the article visit House of Fifty here.)

Dreaming of Warmer Locales: Palm Springs

This is probably my least favorite time of year, when the gray skies of winter have begun to overstay their welcome and a few days in a warm locale would be simply amazing! 

How about a few days in Palm Springs?

With its close proximity to Los Angeles it was simply destined to become a favorite spot for the rich and famous... along with well-to-do retirees. Between 1947 and 1965 the Alexander Construction Company built approximately 2,200 houses in Palm Springs, effectively doubling it's housing capacity and setting the reputation of the city as an enclave of modern architecture. 

Advertisement image from another one of their developments, Twin Palms.

It's so much fun to look at these homes, take in the modern and sometimes futuristic designs, and envy the gorgeous pool areas - is there a house in Palm Springs without a pool - that just beg relaxation!

Have you ever been? I haven't and I think a trip is long overdue!

Sponsor Love!

I wanted to send out a little "thank you" today to the sponsors of this blog.

First up, Wrist Soiree. Oh am I loving her new styles!!

And the fabulous Pillow Love. My favorite pillow in our house comes from her shop!

A little "dragon love" to be sure. Check out all her available styles here.

Imagine all the possibilities from MirrorMate. Update those plain plate glass mirrors in minutes!

And if you find yourself in a decorating stalemate, Amber of Amber B. Interiors would love to

 lend you a hand through her Simple Dwellings design service.

With a range of options to fit your needs and an easy to follow plan, this is a wonderful way to realize and create beautiful spaces that you may not be able to completely envision on your own!

Visit her site for more information.

Have a wonderful weekend, Janell

In the Mood for Some Valentine's Day Baking

{recipe here}

How clever is this "conversation hearts" cake?

Seeing it inspired me to plan some Valentine's Day Baking of my own.

At this house I think I'll reach for an old favorite, Carrot Cake!

Delicious!